Monthly Archives: June 2017

Recently I finished the the first draft of The Culinary Art of Murder, Book 6 of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries. Although I’ve been working on it for months, day in day out, writing, rewriting, I call it the first draft because at long last, the novel has a beginning, a middle and an end. Yes, I tend to write by the seat of my pants – thus called a panster – but what happened several days ago was a first, even for me. I discovered I had no ending. I start a new book when the first chapter is shouting itself in my brain, the characters screaming to be heard. I may let the middle unveil itself, but I know who the killer is, and how the book will wind up. Business as usual with Culinary Art. Or so I thought. As I pounded the keyboard toward the ending, I found the ending I’d envisioned wasn’t going to work. Too forced, too contrived. I panicked, and not just a little. After all, I’d written 78 thousand words. The characters, situations, thoughts, feelings, actions, and clues were finished. Or were they? Where was my plot? My finish line simply vanished. So I put the manuscript away hoping I’d find the way. I prayed, I wept, I ate chocolate. Lo and behold several nights ago or should I say mornings ago, I woke up at 4 AM realizing the end would work if I just changed my approach. So I did. When I figured out what I was doing wrong, the final chapters flowed. Now I’ve printed everything out – all 82K – and will begin the rewrites. Then off to the editor. Then off to my beta readers. After those people tear it apart, I…

No, not as a stalker but as a fellow author, and I am still jazzed about it. As part of Mystery Writers of America, I was one of eight authors doing a reading for Noir at the Bar for the Bay Area Book Festival on June 3rd. The other authors were (reading from right to left): moderator Tony Broadbent (standing), Bill Moody, Mysti Berry, Nick Mamatas, Walter Mosley, yours truly, Hans Olav Lahlum, Randall S. Brandt and Laurie R. King. Hope some of the surrounding talent rubbed off on me. I’d like to mention Walter Mosley, author of the fabulous Easy Rawlins Series. He read an excerpt from the first of the series, Devil in a Blue Dress. The man wears a mean fedora, is an incredible writer, and a fine reader. If you haven’t read this novel, please do so. You could even rent the movie starring Denzel Washington. Or do both; you can’t go wrong. I am also a huge fan of Laurie R. King’s work. Among other works, she is author of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. Let me mention, Ms. King is president of Mystery Writers of America, NoCal Chapter. Long may she reign. The lady lets no grass grow under her feet. Her latest novel, The Murder of Mary Russell, is mystery fiction at its finest. But you could start with the first of her series, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. Whatever book of hers you pick up to read, once again, you can’t go wrong. I read from The CEO Came DOA, Book 5 of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries and to pound it into the ground, I followed Walter Mosley! I mean, how cool is that? I want that in my epitaph and on my tombstone!

My husband and I do a lot of cruises. In fact, we recently got back from a cruise to Alaska which showed that state to be wondrous in many ways. Just look at Mendenhall glacier. Oh yes, and Victoria BC’s Butchart Gardens, built in an abandoned quarry. It’s incredible! Flowers, plants, trees, and waterfalls that inspire more wonderment. But first, to write! As we sailed from San Francisco, I knew I had 2 and 1/2 days of watery nothingness ahead of me before we got to the land of glaciers, huskies and moose. So I sat down at my computer, looked out the balcony door at the greyness of life and began to do more writing than I can ever accomplish at home. No cleaning, no making beds, no cooking, no errands, no distractions by lovable but demanding cats. Or a demanding husband. He ran around the ship going to every entertainment venue, or practiced his guitar, and left me in peace. I could even order room service, if I liked. And I liked! We don’t go on another cruise until September. I’ll have to squeeze in some writing time until then. Still working on The Culinary Art of Murder, Book 6 of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries. Here’s to cruising!

The Culinary Art of Murder, Book 6 of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, is now available at Amazon!

Blurb:
Lee’s Uncle Tío is smitten with the lady guest chef at a Silicon Valley culinary art institute. When the lady is arrested for two murders, a fellow chef, and the dishwasher, Lee agrees to help find the real killer. But undercover work at the institute proves to be more dangerous than whipping up a chocolate soufflé. Can she find the murderer before her own goose is cooked? If it turns out to be the ambitious southern belle chef, will Tío ever forgive Lee for sending his new lady love to jail?

Honeymoons Can Be Murder is now available for download only at Amazon!

When PI Lee Alvarez goes on her honeymoon with bridegroom, Gurn Hanson, they find a dead woman practically on their doorstep. Kauai breezes may be soft, but there are gale force winds of accusation against Gurn. Will Lee find the real killer before her new hubby gets sent to a Hawaiian hoosegow?

Books

The reviews are in!
Bestthrillers.com - The Culinary Art of Murder "The Bottom Line: This cozy mystery has it all – romance, suspense, comedy and a detective you’ll fall hard for."